16:5Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons to prepare them to come before God in worship or to offer a sacrifice. For more on this ceremony, see Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10, 14; and the note on Joshua 3:5.
Life Application Study Bible1 SamuelChapter 16
1 Samuel 16
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 435, 436
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
161 Samuel 16
1. Samuel anoints David
1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Finda man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 2But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the LORD replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lor. 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” 4So Samuel did as the LORD instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What's wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” 5“Yes,” Samuel replied. “Ihave come to sacrifice to the LORD. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. 6When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuelsaid,“ This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” 9Next Jesse summoned Shimea,* but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” 10In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
David Serves in Saul’s Court
1414Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit* that filled him with depression and fear. 15Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” 17“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” 18One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lorop is with him.” 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” 20Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. 21So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” 23And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
Textual footnotes
- of death.” 16:9 Hebrew Shammah, a variant spelling of Shimea; compare 1 Chr 2:13; 20:7.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
16:7Saul was tall and handsome; he was an impressive-looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be Israel’s next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone. When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is. Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week Maintaining their outward appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really tooks {ike What steps are you taking to improve your heart's attitude?
16:13David was anointed king, but it was done in secret; he was not publicly anointed until much later (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3). Saut was still legally the king, but God was preparing David for his future responsibilities. The anointing oil poured over David’s head stood for holiness. It was used to set people or objects apart for God’s service. Each king and high priest of Israel was anointed with oil. This commissioned him as God's representative to the nation. Although God rejected Saul’s kingship by not allowing any of his descendants to sit on Israel’s throne, Saul himself remained in his position until his death.
16:14What was this tormenting spirit the LORD sent? Perhaps Saul was simply depressed. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit had left Saul, and God allowed an evil spirit (a demon) to torment him as judgment for his disobedience (this would demonstrate God's power over the spirit world—1 Kings 22:19-23). Either way, Saul was driven to insanity, which led him to attempt to murder David.
16:15,16Harps were popular musical instruments in Saul’s day, and their music is still known for its soothing qualities. The simplest harps were merely two pieces of wood fastened at right angles to each other. The strings were stretched across the wood to give the harp a triangular shape. Simple strings could be made of twisted grasses, but better strings were made of dried animal intestine. Harps could have up to 40 strings and were louder than the smaller three- or four-stringed instruments called lyres. David, known for his shepherding skills and bravery, was also an accomplished harpist and musician, who would eventually write many of the psalms found in the Bible.
16:19-21When Saul asked David to be in his service, he obviously did not know that David had been secretly anointed king (16:12). Saul’s invitation presented an excellent opportunity for the young man and future king to gain firsthand information about leading a nation (“David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem,” 17:15). Sometimes our plans—even the ones we think God has approved—have to be put on hold indefinitely. Like David, we can use this waiting time profitably. We can choose to learn and grow in our present circumstances, whatever they may be.